If you’re planning your Arkansas teacher license renewal, one of the first questions you need to answer is: how many professional development hours are required? The answer is 36 hours per year — but the way those hours are tracked, what counts, and how graduate credits fit in is more nuanced than most teachers realize.
This article breaks down the Arkansas PD hour requirement in detail: what counts, what doesn’t, how to track your hours, and how graduate credits can simplify the whole process while also advancing your salary.
The Arkansas PD Hour Requirement: The Basics
Arkansas requires teachers to complete 36 hours of professional development per year as a condition of license renewal. Over a five-year renewal period, that totals 180 hours. The requirement applies to all teachers holding a Standard Educator License in Arkansas, whether they teach in a public school, charter school, or private school.
| Renewal Period | Annual Requirement | Total Required | Graduate Credit Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 36 hours/year | 180 hours | 12 semester credits |
| Partial year | Prorated | Varies | Varies |
The 36-hour annual requirement is a minimum. Many Arkansas teachers complete significantly more PD hours through district-provided training, conferences, and coursework. Only the minimum is required for renewal — but exceeding it provides flexibility and can accelerate salary lane advancement.
What Counts as PD Hours in Arkansas
Arkansas has a broad definition of qualifying professional development. The following activities generally count toward the 36-hour annual requirement:
| Activity Type | Counts Toward PD? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| District-provided training | Yes | Most common source; tracked by employer |
| Graduate-level coursework | Yes | 1 credit = 15 hours; must be from accredited institution |
| State-approved workshops | Yes | Must be pre-approved or on DESE approved list |
| National Board Certification work | Yes | Counts as PD hours during the certification process |
| Arkansas IDEAS LMS courses | Yes | Online courses through the state LMS platform |
| Conferences and professional events | Sometimes | Must be documented; check with district HR |
| Informal reading/self-study | No | Not accepted without formal documentation |
The 4 Mandatory Training Topics (8 Hours)
Within the 36-hour annual requirement, Arkansas law mandates that teachers complete specific training on four topics at least once during each five-year renewal period. These 8 hours count toward — not in addition to — the annual PD requirement:
| Mandatory Topic | Hours | Legal Basis | Typical Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandated Reporters Training | 2 hours | Ark. Code § 6-61-133 | District or Arkansas IDEAS LMS |
| Mental Health Awareness | 2 hours | Ark. Code § 6-17-708 | District or Arkansas IDEAS LMS |
| Teen Suicide Awareness & Prevention | 2 hours | Ark. Code § 6-17-708 | District or Arkansas IDEAS LMS |
| Bullying Prevention | 2 hours | Ark. Code § 6-17-711 | District or Arkansas IDEAS LMS |
Most Arkansas school districts provide these mandatory training sessions to their teachers as part of the regular professional development calendar. If your district has provided them, they are typically already documented in your Arkansas IDEAS LMS record. If you are a private school teacher or are not currently employed in a school, you can complete these trainings independently through the Arkansas IDEAS LMS.
How Graduate Credits Convert to PD Hours
Arkansas uses a standard conversion rate for graduate credits: 1 semester credit = 15 PD hours. This is the same conversion used by most states and is recognized by Arkansas DESE for license renewal documentation. Here is how the conversion works in practice:
| Graduate Credits | PD Hours Equivalent | Years of Annual Requirement Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 credit | 15 hours | Less than 1 year (42% of annual requirement) |
| 2 credits | 30 hours | Less than 1 year (83% of annual requirement) |
| 3 credits | 45 hours | 1 full year + 9 hours toward next year |
| 6 credits | 90 hours | 2 full years + 18 hours toward third year |
| 9 credits | 135 hours | 3 full years + 27 hours toward fourth year |
| 12 credits | 180 hours | Full 5-year renewal period |
Many Arkansas teachers use a combination of district-provided PD and graduate credits to satisfy the renewal requirement. A common approach is to complete 3–6 graduate credits over the five-year period (covering 1–2 years of the annual requirement) and rely on district-provided training for the remaining years.
How PD Hours Are Tracked in Arkansas
For teachers employed in Arkansas public schools, professional development hours are tracked by the employer. Your district’s HR or professional development coordinator is responsible for recording and verifying your hours in the state system. When you apply for renewal through the AELS portal, your employer will certify your PD completion.
For teachers who are not currently employed in an Arkansas public school — including private school teachers, those on leave, and teachers returning to the classroom after a gap — the process is different. You are responsible for self-documenting your PD hours and providing supporting documentation when you apply for renewal. The Arkansas IDEAS LMS (ideaslms.aetn.org) is the state’s official platform for tracking self-directed PD and completing the mandatory training topics.
Graduate credit documentation: If you are using graduate credits toward your PD requirement, you will need to submit an official transcript from the issuing institution through the AELS portal. The transcript must show the course title, credit hours, and grade. Credits for Teachers courses are issued by nationally accredited university partners, and official transcripts are available upon request.
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Your PD Credits Can Also Advance Your Salary
The graduate credits you earn for Arkansas PD hours are the same credits that count toward salary lane advancement in most Arkansas districts. Before you choose a course provider, it’s worth knowing exactly how much a lane change would be worth in your district. The Salary Advancement Roadmap walks you through it in about two minutes.
The Scientific Reading Instruction Requirement
Beginning with licenses expiring December 31, 2023 and thereafter, Arkansas teachers must hold an Arkansas Scientific Reading Instruction Awareness Credential as a condition of renewal. This is a separate requirement from the 36-hour annual PD requirement and must be completed independently.
The credential is earned by completing approved training in the science of reading and structured literacy. Most Arkansas districts have provided this training to their teachers. If you are unsure whether you have completed it, log in to the Arkansas IDEAS LMS and review your completed training history, or contact your district’s professional development coordinator.
The Bottom Line
Arkansas requires 36 PD hours per year (180 hours over five years) for license renewal, including 8 mandatory hours on four specific topics. Graduate credits convert at 15 hours per credit, meaning 12 credits covers the full five-year requirement. Most teachers use a combination of district-provided training and graduate credits to satisfy the requirement efficiently.
The strategic advantage of using graduate credits is that they serve double duty: the same credits that satisfy your PD requirement also count toward salary lane advancement in most Arkansas districts. In Bentonville, for example, moving from the Bachelor’s lane to M+30/Ed.S adds over $203,000 in career earnings. The credits that renew your license are the same credits that build that advantage.
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